Rishabh Pant has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow him to represent India A during the upcoming tour of New Zealand as he looks to gain valuable red-ball game time ahead of the challenging Test series. The wicketkeeper-batter is keen to use the India A matches to adapt to overseas conditions and sharpen his preparations for the two-Test series.
India A are scheduled to play three four-day matches against New Zealand A before the senior Indian team begins its Test campaign. With the New Zealand tour also featuring white-ball fixtures, managing player workloads and fitness will be an important consideration for the selectors. Pant recently faced fitness concerns during the domestic red-ball season. He did not take the field on the final day of the Irani Cup after developing a high fever and was subsequently ruled out of Delhi’s opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Bengal due to a minor side strain.
According to a report by sports journalist Rohit Juglan, Pant has already requested to play at least two matches for India A in New Zealand. The additional game time could help him regain rhythm and get accustomed to the conditions before joining the senior Test squad.
Pant remains an important part of India’s Test plans despite being outside the team’s recent white-ball setup. His recent Test performances have also highlighted his ability to make an impact in the middle order.
The left-hander scored 63 against Sri Lanka in Colombo after contributing 39 and 66 in the Test at Galle. He also made 81 off 121 balls against Afghanistan in June 2026. Across his last four Test innings, Pant has accumulated 249 runs at an average of 62.30, while maintaining an impressive strike rate of 73.00.
Rishabh Pant want to play atleast a couple of games with India A in NZ – He has already requested for this
— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) October 5, 2026
Since making his Test debut, Pant has established himself as one of India’s most attacking middle-order batters. He has scored 3,725 runs in 52 Tests at an average of 43.82, including eight centuries and 21 fifties. Behind the stumps, he has also contributed 166 catches and 18 stumpings.
The BCCI is yet to announce India’s squads for the New Zealand tour. Interim chief selector Pragyan Ojha is currently leading the four-member selection committee and is expected to play a key role in finalising the squads.
India’s selectors will also need to assess the pace-bowling combination following Prasidh Krishna’s hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep strengthened their Test claims with impressive performances in the Irani Cup.
India A will play three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A between October 24 and November 10, while India’s two Tests are scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch from November 19 to December 1.
